Page 92 of Somewhere We Belong

“Sol! Así no se habla,” Nova said, laughing too.

While Sol played with her many, many toys the rest of us finished opening our gifts. The daughter-safe presents were given to Nova including new shears she had been eyeing and a spa getaway.

“Webber, are you fucking kidding me?” Jude yelled. “How the hell did you manage to get these?”

Jude threw himself at Webber who laughed and gave him a hug. I watched them for a little while and each time I saw them together, I swore something more was going on, but Webber wasa hockey player with a reputation. A part of me hoped it wasn’t just Jude in love with his best friend.

While they had their moment, the guys and I opened Nova’s present, who looked mighty nervous. Theo received new boots that were only to be worn outside of cowboy life. Colt opened an airbrush set he had been wanting to paint his motorcycle with. Nova gave me a small box that had a watch, but it wasn’t just any watch, it was a vintage Rolex with a leather band.

“Nova, this is too much,” I said, wondering how much she had shelled out for it.

“Actually, Sol found it when we went to an estate sale and it only needed a new battery,” she said, tucking her hair behind her ear. “The guys at the jewelry store said it was in great condition.”

“How much did you pay for it?” I took it out and put it on.

“If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me.” She grinned. “Let's just say the lady had no idea what Rolex was or she thought it was a knock-off.”

“You found that at an estate sale?” Luke pulled my arm to look at it and now everyone was looking at my wrist.

“Damn, we might have to go estate sale shopping here,” Webber joked.

“I swear, Sol is lucky when we go, so if you’re looking for something, all we have to do is take her with us,” Nova chuckled.

“Can we book her next time I’m in town?” Webber laughed.

“All you gotta do is say you're going for ice cream afterwards and she’s game,” Nova said, as Sol whipped her head around at the mention of ice cream.

I laughed as I got up to pick up all the paper as the women asked about the products Nova had gotten them. Nova then opened Iris’ gift which was bras and I overheard she needed to get rid of her nursing bras— the other women definitely all agreed on, whatever the hell that was. She fit in perfectly into this family and it made my first Christmas home that much morespecial. I loved Theo and Colt, always had, but I didn’t realize how important Nova would be when I first met her. It took a while, but I think we came together at the best time.

The guys and I made breakfast as Luke prepared the turkey for dinner. The house was filled with warmth and laughter as we all hung out around the kitchen after breakfast.

“Sol, Baby, what happened?” I heard Nova speaking.

“Nothing,” Sol snapped, as I looked down the hall at them.

“Sweetie, talk to me, why are you upset?” Nova spoke softly.

“Leave me alone.” She yanked her arm out of Nova’s hands running down the hall and slamming the door shut.

Nova flinched at the sound, rubbing her forehead.

“Is everything ok?” I asked, putting my hand on her back.

“I don’t know,” Nova sighed. “She's been more temperamental lately and I have no idea what it is. It all started that night I went on a date with you guys, and occasionally, it's like she gets mad at me.”

“You think she knows?” I was confused.

“I don’t think so because she would also be snippy at you,” she said, as I pulled her in for a hug. “Maybe she doesn’t want me dating.”

I stilled, thinking that's the only thing that made sense, but what did that mean for us? Nova would give us up for Sol in a heartbeat and I wouldn’t be able to blame her.

“Maybe, one of us can speak to her?” I suggested, racking my brain for something to help, because living without them was a heartache I never wanted to experience.

“Let’s give her some time and I’ll try again,” she mumbled against my chest.

“Ok.” I kissed her head.

Theo cocked his eyebrow at me, and I mouthed I would tell him later. Nova was tense the next hour, laughing and engaging, but she looked around occasionally. Theo and Colt had caughton, and I told them what had happened when we went to the kitchen to refill drinks.

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